Combination blackboard and desk or the like



W. J. XAVIER COMBINATION BLACKBOARD AND DESK OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 2l, 193] Patented Jan. 17, 1933 UNITED STATES WILLIAM J. XAVIER, OF CLIFTONDALE. MASSACHUSETTS COMBINATION BLACKBOARD AND DESK OBI-THE LIKE Application filed September 21, 1931. Serial No. 563,925.

My invention aims to provide improvements in articles of furniture and relates more specifically to childrens furniture such as tables, desks and the like.

In the drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination childs table and blackboard;

Fig. 2 is an underside plan section taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1 showing the blackboard in concealed position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a detail section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the particular embodiment of my invention as illustrated by the annexed 29 drawing, I'have shown a combination childs table of usual construction and having a hollow top 1 open from the bottom side, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and supported upon ordinary legs 2 in combination with a blackboard 3.l While I have illustrated the blackboard in combination with a flat top table, it should be clearly understood that the blackboard may be combined in asimilar manner with a childs desk forluse at home or in a school rOOm.

The blackboard 3 is of usual frame construction having a writing surface 4 and may be sec-ured to the table by (means of a suitable lost motion hinge means. The hinge means illustrated comprises a one-piece wire member 5 secured to one edge of the table by loops 6 6 at the ends of the wire 5I held in pivoted relation between the angle pieces 7 rigidly attached to one edge of the table top 4o l preferably in grooves 8, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The blackboard 3 is secured to the hinge 5 2) by suitable holding pieces 9 9, as also illustrated in Fig. 3. By means of this hinge construction the black- .board 3 is adapted to be swung between two legs of the table into the hollow top 1 from the underside thereof so as to be entirely concealed, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The blackboard is also adapted to be swung into an upright position (Figs. 1 and 3) with relation comprises a screw 14 Figs to the table when it is'desirable to expose the blackboard for writing purposes.

Any suitable fastening means may be used to secure the blackboard either in concealed position or in upright position. A simple fastening means for holding the blackboard in concealed position comprises a block 9 secured within the hollow table top (Figs. 2 and 4) and provided with a recess 10 and a striker plate 11 (Fig. 4), thereby to receive 60 the simple yieldable sheet metal catch member 12 secured to the upper edge of the blackboard. This catch member 12 has a finger piece 13 which projects downwardly when the blackboard is in concealed position so that it may be easily and uickly released by simply reaching beneath t e table top. The fastener means for holdin the blackboard in upright position with relation to the table 3 and 5) secured 70 to the rear face of the lackboard and a plate 15 secured to one edge of the table, as illustrated. The plate 15 is provided with a keyhole slot 16 and the edge of the table behind the plate 15 is recessed to receive the head 17 75 of the screw 14. In order to facilitate separation of the screw 14 from the plate 15, one side of the screw is flattened at 18 so that it will not catch upon the plate 15 when being withdrawn through the enlarged end of the 8 keyhole slot 16.

,A tray 19 is secured to the lower edge of the blackboard (Figs. 1 and 3) by means of a hinge 20 so that t e tray 19 may/be swun into open position with relation tothe blackboard, as indicated in Figure 1, or into a closed position with 'relation to the blackboard, as indicated in Fig. 3. Any suitable fastening means, such as ball detent members4 21, diagrammatically shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, may be used to hold the trayin closed position with relation to the blackboard 3. The tray, of course, as an opening to exposecounters 22, chalk 2 and an eraser 24 for use in connection with the blackboard. 95 It should be understood that any desirable elements maybe located in they tray and will be held in position when the blackboard is in concealed position by the simple expedient of closing the tray against-the face 25 pro- 100 vided for that purpose adjacent to the lower edge of the blackboard.

My improved device is particularly desirable because it combines a table or desk and a blackboard in such a manner that the table can be used as such without interference from the blackboard, since that member may be concealed within the table top and not interfere in any way with the normal use of the table or desk. At the same time the blackboard is easily accessible and can be quickly adjusted to operative'position by simply releasing the catch 12 and swinging the black-A board between the legs of the table or desk to an upright position where they head of the screw can be entered into the enlarged end of the keyholel slot 16. Upon release, the blackboard will drop downwardly by gravity, thereby carrying the screw to the lower end of the keyhole slot and locking the blackboard in position against accidental displacement. My device is particularly simple since the blackboard is held in rigid position by the screw 14 and the hinge member 5 without the use of any additional braces or the like. If desirable, rubber bumpers 26 (Fig. 2) or the like may be attached to the rear of the blackboard for contact with the edge of the table to prevent either the blackboard or the edge of the table from becoming disigured.

When it is desirable to conceal the blackboard it is merely necessary to pull upwardly and then outwardly to release the screw head 17 and then swing the blackboard downwardly and upwardly to cause the catch 12 to engage the striker plate 11 and lock the blackboard in concealed position.

While-I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, do

not wish to be limited thereby, because the invention is best dened by the scope of m following c aims.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, an article of furniture having legs and a top supported upon said le a blackboard, hinge means securing said blackboard to said article of furniture in swinging relation thereto so that the blackboard may be concealed beneath the top 0r exposed in an upright position by a complete swinging movement only from one position to the other and suitable interengaging fasteners provided partly on the article of furniture and partly on the blackboard for holding said blackboard in the exposed or concealed position with relation to the said top.

2. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, an article of furniture having legs and a top supported upon said legs, a blackboard, hinge means securing said blackboard to said article of furniture in swinging relation thereto so that the blackboard may be concealed beneath the top or exposed in an upright position, suitable fasteners for holding said blackboard in the exposed or concealed position with relation to the said top and a tray hinged to said blackboard.

3. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, an article of furniture having legs, a hollow top open from beneath and supported upon said legs, a blackboard, hinge means secured directly'to the top and the blackboard swinging relation so that the blackboard may be swung int-o the hollow top from beneath, thereby to be entirely concealed, and fastening means provided partly on the top and partly on the blackboard for cooperative engagement to hold the blackboard in an upright position with relation to the said top.

4. A device of the class described comprising, incombination, a desk, table or the like, a blackboard, hinge means Securing said blackboard to said desk, table or the like in swinging relation thereto and said blackboard being adapted to swing into a concealed position with relation to the desk, table or the like and being also adapted to swing into anupright position adjacent to one edge of the desk, table or the like, interengaging fastener members for holding the blackboard in its upright position, other fastener members for holding the blackboard in concealed position, a tray hinged to said blackboard and fastening means for holding said tray with its open face against said blackboard when said blackboard is in concealed position.

ln testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

. WILLAM J. XAVER.

to secure them together. in 

